Title
Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Employed Adults- United States, 1994-2013
Author
Walter Alarcon, MD
Publication
US Department of Health and Human Services/ Center for Disease Control and Prevention- MMWR/ October 14, 2016/ Vol.63/ No. 55
Link
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/63/wr/mm6355a5.htm
Abstract
CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and state health departments collect data on laboratory-reported adult blood lead levels.
Title
Hematologic Effects of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Author
Ringenberg, Doll, Patterson, Perry and Yarbro
Publication
Southern Medical Journal, September, 1988; 81(9): 1132-9.
Link
http://sma.org/southern-medical-journal/article/hematologic-effects-of-heavy-metal-poisoning/
Abstract
Heavy metal poisoning can cause a variety of hematologic disorders. Exposure to heavy metals is ubiquitous in the industrial environment and must be considered in the differential diagnosis of many types of anemia. The heavy metals most commonly associated with hematologic toxicity are arsenic and its derivative arsine, copper, gold, lead, and zinc. A few distinctive clinical features characterize the hematologic manifestations of many occult heavy metal poisonings. These features have a limited differential diagnosis. A knowledge of these clinical features can assist the astute clinician in making the correct diagnosis.
Title
Hematologic and Biochemical Studies in a Case of Lead Poisoning
Author
Paul D. Berk, Donald P. Tschudy, Lona A. Shepley, Jeanne G. Waggoner and N.I. Berlin
Publication
The American Journal of Medicine, January, 1970, pp. 137-144
Link
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0002934370901099
Abstract
Detailed hematologic and biochemical studies in a patient with lead poisoning demonstrate that the potential life span of red cells produces under these circumstances is normal…The hemolytic effect of lead is a direct effect on mature red blood cells, which occurs independently of the effects of lead on heme biosynthesis in erythroid precursors. Treatment with EDTA rapidly reverses the latter but not the former. Although lead is an inhibitor of heme biosynthesis in vitro, the presence of both an increased rate of effective erythropoiesis and an increased “early labeled peak” indicates that heme biosynthesis may be increased in the lead-poisoned patient.
Title
Hematoalogic Studies of Children with Lead Poisoning
Author
- Janet Watson, Elisabeth Decker & Herbert C. Lichtman
Publication
American Academy of Pediatrics, 1958
Link
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/21/1/40.abstract
Abstract
Thirteen cases of lead poisoning in children were studied hematologically and compared with a similar age group with uncomplicated nutritional iron deficiency anemia. Both groups had a moderate to severe microcytic hypochromic anemia, with a low plasma iron and per cent iron saturation. The group with lead poisoning also had an increase in stippling, target cells and reticulocytes, not present in the other group. The total iron-binding capacity was lower in the lead-poisoning group. The most prominent finding was a great increase in free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in the lead-poisoning group. The group with lead poisoning probably had previous nutritional iron deficiency anemia upon which the lead poisoning had superimposed other hematologic changes. It is not known whether the coincidence of nutritional iron deficiency anemia and lead poisoning has special significance.
Title
Lead Poisoning in a Historical Perspective
Author
Sven Hernberg
Publication
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 38:244±254, 2000. p. 245
Link
http://www.rachel.org/files/document/Lead_Poisoning_in_Historical_Perspective.pdf
Abstract
Lead poisoning existed and was already known in Antiquity but was forgotten, at least in the literature, until the end of the Middle Ages, where it was mentioned sporadically. In the 19th century this disease, which reached epidemic dimensions during the period of industrialization, was “rediscovered.” Several comprehensive clinical articles appeared in the literature. The clinical picture deepened during the beginning of the 20th century, and preventive efforts were started. However, the concept of poisoning remained strictly clinical. During the latter half of the 20th century a new concept emerged: subclinical and early forms became recognized as undesirable effects. This led to a substantial lowering of hygienic standards. Pediatric poisoning has also been a serious problem during the 20th century. After the 1920s, environmental pollution by lead caused by the introduction of tetraethyl lead in gasoline became an alarming public health problem. The use became restricted in the 1980s; its effects on blood lead levels are now evident.
Title
Low Level of Lead Can Induce Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Erythrophagocytosis: A New Mechanism Underlying Lead-Associated Anemia
Author
Won-Hee Jang, Kyung-Min Lim, Keunyoung Kim, Ji-Yoon Noh, Seojin Kang, Youn-Kyeong Chang, and Kin-Ho Chung
Publication
Toxicological Sciences, 2011 122(1): 177-184
Link
http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/content/122/1/177
Abstract
Anemia is probably one of the most well-known toxic effects of lead. Previously, lead-induced anemia was considered to be from the inhibition of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase participating in the heme biosynthesis. However, little is known whether lead could affect the destruction of erythrocyte, another important factor for anemia. In the present study, we demonstrated that lead could accelerate the splenic sequestration of erythrocytes through phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and subsequently increased erythrophagocytosis…In conclusion, these results suggest that Pb2+-induced anemia may be explained at least in part by increased PS exposure on erythrocytes, erythrophagocytosis, and splenic sequestration.